Meet the Makers: Love Brand & Co

With summer coming to a close and the August bank holiday just round the corner, our thoughts are on one thing: our last summer escape. If you're jetting off to enjoy the last of the sun, we highly recommend doing it in style in a pair of Love Brand & Co.'s fabulous patterned swim shorts. Their high quality and brightly coloured shorts not only look good, but 5% of the company's sales go towards the Elephant Fund, helping endangered species in the wild. We caught up with their Director, Oliver Tomalin, to find out more... What inspired you to set up Love Brand & Co?

I have always had ideas to start my own company. Not necessarily all good ones! But I think you can't go too far wrong if you give your time to what you love. So I started developing an idea that combined the things I am passionate about. I have always loved design and the beach (don't we all) and also wildlife. On understanding how desperately endangered elephants were and still are, I was inspired to build my brand around helping save them. 

It's simple. Every year we donate 5% of the company's sales to charity. We partner with inspirational conservation charities to help save elephants and other endangered species in the wild. Currently we are supporting 3 charities; Tusk Trust, Elephant Family and The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. 

That is always good to hear! I also especially love this season's designs. The collection is inspired by my childhood memories of Safari and the Tropics. My father grew up in South Africa and then lived in Barbados for a time, so I was lucky to enjoy the African Bush as well as the Caribbean from an early age. The collection includes fun prints of parrots,  toucans, monkeys, starfish, sand dollars, rhinos and of course elephants! 

Our charitable mission does set us apart. Equally our attention to detail, quality and design distinguishes us. We use an extremely soft fabric which people comment on all the time. It's important to be comfortable on holiday!

Everything is designed and developed in London. Productions take place all over. This year we have had products manufactured in China, Portugal, Lithuania, Ecuador and Ethiopia. We also produce bespoke hollow wooden surf boards in the UK (RRP £5000.)

Our next collection is all about marine life! As always there are lots of amazing colours and compositions, which even trick the eye in some cases! We are also really excited to be launching a Love Brand Beach Shack in Barbados!